Linda Cheatham

Director of the Wesley Ringers
and the JuBELLant Chimers

Linda Cheatham is director of the Wesley Ringers handbell choir and the children's chime choir, the JuBELLant Chimers . 

Ms. Cheatham began ringing handbells 35 years ago in the 4^th grade at the First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She continued ringing handbells throughout high school, directing a beginning handbell choir in her senior year. After graduation, Cheatham organized and directed handbell choirs during college in Missouri. After returning to Oklahoma to begin a career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer in 1978, 

Cheatham first directed handbells at First United Methodist Church in Broken Arrow and then at First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee. She later moved to Tahlequah and accepted a position in 1993 as handbell director at the First United Methodist Church. During her tenure at First United Methodist Church in Tahlequah, she has expanded their set of handbells from two octaves to four octaves. In 1999, Cheatham raised funds to acquire the three octave set of choir chimes that are used with the children's choir.

The Celebration Ringers rehearse from 6:15 to 7:25p. m. Wednesday evenings in the sanctuary of the church and perform in the 10:40 a. m. church service one Sunday per month during the school year. Rehearsals are dismissed during the summer. Ringers range in age from high school to adult.

The JuBELLant Chimers rehearse Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the children's education wing and perform in the 10:40 worship service periodically or for special services.  Rehearsals are dismissed during the summer. Chimers are 3^rd grade through 6^th grade.